Charter Chatter

The holiday low season in the Whitsundays is from 9 January to 31 March. During this time most bareboat charter companies offer extra free nights if chartering a yacht or motor cruiser for five or more nights.

Captain Cook Cruises is celebrating its 40th birthday in 2010 with a massive sale offering up to 40 per cent off Sydney Harbour, Murray River and Fiji Islands discovery cruises. The sale is valid to 28 February 2010 and valid for travel to 31 March 2011.

In 2009 Sunsail Sailing Holidays moved its Phuket base to the new ground-breaking Ao Po Grand Marina, situated at the entrance to Phang Nga Bay, just 30 minutes from Phuket airport. A total of ten new yachts joined the Thailand fleet in 2009, the most recent being a 384 catamaran, built by Robertson & Caine exclusively for Sunsail.

North Star Cruises is offering a 20 per cent discount on its 2010 cruise season opener, the West Coast Explorer, departing Fremantle on 27 February on a ten day voyage to the Abrolhos Islands, Shark Bay World Heritage Area, Ningaloo Reef, Montebello Islands and finishing in Dampier.

Eastsail in Sydney is adding another three new Beneteau 40s to their fleet in 2010.

Sunsail Sailing Holidays now offers one-way sailing charters from its base in Langkawi, Malaysia, to its base in Phuket, Thailand, or vice versa. Guests are advised to allow ten days to enjoy the experience. The weather and sailing conditions are at their best anytime from now until the end of February.

Whitsunday Sailing Adventures offers a free upgrade to private double accommodation on the Derwent Hunter or Alexander Stewart Eco Tallship Adventure on three day, two night cruises until January 31, 2010.

Whitsunday Rent a Yacht offers Cruise and Stay packages for two, four and six people, sailing the Whitsunday Islands for five nights and then relaxing on land for three nights at Daydream Island Resort and Spa. A Cruise and Stay Family Fun package is also available for two adults and two children spending five nights sailing on a Beneteau 30 sailing yacht and three nights with accommodation (kids share with parents) at Daydream Island Resort and Spa. These offers are valid from January 6 - March 31, 2010. Find out more at Rentayacht.com.au.

Orion and True North were voted first and second respectively in the Cruise Passenger magazine’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Small Ship (under 500 passengers), Best Ship Cuisine (main dining room) and Best Adventure Cruise Ship. The Kimberley was voted the Best Cruise Region and Sydney the Best Cruise Port.

Events on Sydney Harbour on Australia Day 26 January include a Ferrython, Awesome Forces displays, best dressed vessels competition, tall ships race, 174th Australia Day Regatta, Sydney Ports Jazz on the Water Concert. For details see AustraliaDay.com.au.

Photograph: Reef Escape courtesy of Captain Cook Cruises